Fewer LGUs shortlisted for DILG awards
Fewer local government units (LGU) are shortlisted this year as eligible recipients of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Award, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7.
Corina Balansag, regional focal person of SGLG Program, said the agency has raised the bar of assessing LGUs that possess good governance practices.
"This time, the number (of shortlisted LGUs) decreased. One of the reasons is because of this all-in criterion. It's the first (time that this criterion has been imposed) from among the many SGLG runs. So this is a great challenge to our LGUs," she told The FREEMAN in an interview.
She said the conditions this year had been changed from "4-plus-1" to "all-in."
This idea means that an LGU must not only qualify on the four core components and at least one of the three essential areas, which was the requirement in the previous years, but must pass all the seven areas, she said.
The four core components are: (1) Financial Administration; (2) Disaster Preparedness; (3) Social Protection; and (4) Peace and Order.
The other three essential areas are: (1) BusinessFriendliness and Competitiveness; (2) Environmental Management; (3) Tourism, Culture, and the Arts.
DILG-7 has conducted the regional calibration last week.
Balansag said only less than 10 have been initially shortlisted by the regional assessment team and that will be subjected for the national calibration.
She, however, said that some LGUs can still be included on the list, particularly those that carry minimal loopholes.
Last year, almost 30 got into the initial rounds during the regional calibration, she noted.
During the national calibration, Balansag said all the DILG regional offices are expected to present the list of their endorsed LGUs and the regional assessment team would be defending the eligibility of the LGUs.
She said the national calibration is set for July 16 and 17 for the first batch, which includes Region 7.
The SGLG is a national recognition given to an LGU that carries good governance practices and worthy performance in public service.
It originated from the Seal of Good Housekeeping award that piloted in 2010.
The LGUs are assessed and validated through document inspection, onsite visits, and interviews whether they qualify the given criteria or measures as rewards await the SGLG recipients.